On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:20:49 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

On Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:05:45 -0500, Vic Smith
wrote:

Second that. Ran an air-cooled 5hp for years. Cheap Sears thing.
Always regretted not kicking in the extra cash for a water cooled.
It was noisy as hell.

--Vic
On the other hand, I'll bet you that the water pump impeller never
wore out :-)

True enough! To be more clear, I never did any maintenance on it
except change the plug and gear oil a couple times.
It was very light - maybe 40 lbs. - and reliable.
I would toss it in the trunk a few times a year and clamp it on rented
boats at different fishing spots in north Illinois and Wisconsin.
It shook pretty bad at trolling speed, and since the thing is a few
feet from your head, the noise can wear on you.
Bought it new at Sears in '71 I think, for about 189 bucks.
5 hp Johnsons/Evinrudes/Mercs cost about 3-4 times as much then.
So all considered, I really don't want to bitch about it. I made my
bed, and was actually a bit fond of it.
Wouldn't do it now though, and it *was* noisy.

--Vic